A group of angry citizens welcomed deputy prime minister and leader of PASOK Evangelos Venizelos in Crete. Employees in municipalities and other citizens had gathered outside the ‘social health center’ of Arkalohori village by Iraklio. Holding blag flags and chanting anti-government policies slogans, the people protested the government plans to mass lay-offs and labor reserve in the public sector. Some of them even hurled water bottles at the direction of PASOK chairman.

The strong police presence managed to protect Venizelos from the protesters.

Inside the safe environment of the local charity health center for those in need of medical care but without access to public health care due to lack of social insurance, Venizelos said:

“Greece can not afford new fiscal measures and new restrictions on income, wages and pensions are not going to be imposed.”

As he did not mention anything like “we don’t cut your income, but we increase your expenses by cutting tax breaks, allowances, benefits and health care expenditure” I did not read further what Venizelos told the local community of Arkalohori.

Evangleos Venizelos is touring Crete, is expected to visit Chania and Iraklio and probably be ‘welcomed’ with similar protest actions.